Category Archives: Electrician Jobs

How To Become An Electrical Apprentice – what you need to know

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If you are creative, have an interest in electricity and all things technical, and if you approach problems in an analytical way, you may want to consider a career as an electrician. Electrician job opportunities are on the rise, and are said to experience even further growth in the coming years.

The electrician’s job description is diverse, and includes the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring systems. He/she also needs to be able to diagnose problems, maintain safety standards and have a good understanding of the various codes that apply to operating as an electrician in their respective State.

The process of becoming an electrician is divided into steps, and they must be followed for you to be certified.

First you will have to obtain a high school diploma, or General Equivalent. You will then need to enroll at a good technical college. There are many to choose from (even some online ones), but make sure that the institution is widely recognized in more than one State, as it will improve your chances of finding a job later on.

Together with your studies, you will have to get practical experience in the form of an apprenticeship, where you will be trained by an experienced mentor to handle any and all problems that you might face in the field one day.

Most pupils choose to complete their apprenticeships while they study, as the apprenticeship can take about four years to complete. You will also be paid for your apprentice work, at an hourly rate determined by your level of training, as well as your mentor’s rate.

But how difficult is it to find an apprenticeship program? Where do you start? Herewith a few answers to your most pressing questions.

How Hard Is It To Get An Electrician Apprenticeship?

There are so many apprenticeship programs out there, that you are sure to find one to suit you. However, you will need to put in a bit of work.

You will need to do research on the various programs that are available in your area. If you are looking to specialize, you will need to find an apprenticeship that will suit those needs exactly. Some schools and technical colleges offer apprenticeships as part of your course, which is incredibly helpful. If you are lucky enough to be accepted in a school such as this, you will be well on your way.

It can be quite daunting, finding an apprenticeship, especially if you are trying to find one with a company. There are many options, but you will have to diligently seek them out and apply to as many as possible. Do your part and apply to various programs, don’t just rely on one working out. Once you have pinned down an apprenticeship, you will be happy that you put in the effort, so keep going.

How To Get An Electrician Apprenticeship

Check with the college you will be enrolling at whether they offer apprenticeships as part of your course. This will make things a lot easier for you.

If not, keep your eyes on the classifieds and ask around. A few unions also offer apprenticeships, which could later lead to jobs within the union. Research these and make sure you speak to a certified electrician beforehand, as he can give you an idea of the union’s scope.

Your other option is to apply for an apprenticeship position with a Master Electrician, or electrical company. For this, you will need a proper CV and be able to motivate your reasons for wanting to come on board. There are many electricians taking on apprentices, but finding a position at a large company is somewhat more difficult.

How To Become An Electrical Lineman Apprentice

Electrical linemen follow the same path to apprenticeships as other electricians. But, more often than not, you will be required to write a math test as part of your application to become an apprentice. There are a number of dedicated apprenticeship programs focused solely on linemen, so take your time to find one near you.

Make sure to apply to more than one institution, and also check local job listings. Electrical lineman apprenticeships are also paid, so they are often advertized in the local job sections.

The apprenticeship is an essential part of becoming an electrician. You will not be able to gain a license without having completed one. The experience is very rewarding, though, as you get to face common problems first hand over the course of four years – with a mentor by your side to guide you at all times. The process is invaluable, and certified electricians often choose to give back from their experience by taking on apprentices themselves later on.

Take your time to research the various apprenticeship opportunities available to you, and don’t be afraid to ask around. You are sure to find the right program for you.

How To Become An Electrician Journeyman – a comprehensive guide

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Electricians are in high demand – higher than ever before. Construction is at an increase while the sector recovers from the recession, causing in influx of job opportunities for electricians of all disciplines. The green movement is also adding to this, as companies and private individuals turn to more economic power usage. Electricians are replacing old wiring systems, installing new ones and even maintaining economic appliances. It is also estimated that the electrician job market is to see a 20% increase (or higher) in the next few years.


How To Become An Electrician JourneymanIf you are thinking of starting a career as an electrician, now is the time to do it. But how should you go about it, and how long does it take to get a license? This quick guide should send you on your way.

How Do I Become A Journeyman Electrician?

The first step toward becoming a journeyman electrician is deciding on a school that suits your needs. Research your local schools and ask a licensed electrician for advice. It may be worthwhile to look outside of your own State, especially if the schools are widely recognized and offer a variety of training disciplines. A journeyman electrician is often considered to be a general electrician, but some schools offer extra specialization courses as part of your training, which could all come in handy if you decide to specialize later on.

Also check whether the school you have chosen offers apprenticeships as part of your course. Finding an apprenticeship is the next step, so it helps if the school will provide you with both.

You need to have graduated from a reputable school, and have completed a recognized apprenticeship if you are to get a license as a journeyman electrician. Most apprentices choose to complete these two steps simultaneously, which takes an average of four years to finish. Apprentices are usually paid per hour as well, so you will be able to earn some money while you study.

After completing your apprenticeship and graduating from your chosen school, you will need to obtain a license to operate. You can get this from your local authorities, who will also be able to tell you the requirements for obtaining a license in your State.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Journeyman Electrician’s License?

This depends on your specific State, and your personal performance. Each state has unique licensing requirements. You will need to find out what your State requires by getting the information from your local authority. They will be able to tell you about the specific codes that the State adheres to, as well as the testing schedule.

Once you have gained the info, you will have to start studying the local codes and regulations. Most American States make use of the National Electrical Code (NEC). This will take some serious studying on your part.

Exams differ across the States, so find out what you are to expect (the formats can range from essays to monkey puzzles). Some States allow you to use your NEC handbook during the exam, so find out if this applies to you as well.

After you have completed and passed your exam, you will be issued a license to work as a certified journeyman electrician.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Journeyman Electrician?

You need to take into account that it takes a good many years, and a lot of dedication to become a journeyman electrician. You will be studying, and working long hours at the same time as you complete your apprenticeship. The work can be physically taxing, as you will often be climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding.

However, if all goes well, you should have completed both your studies and your apprenticeship within four years. Depending on your local licensing exam schedule, you may be able to gain your license soon after.

This is all relative, however, and depends on the individual’s performance and their State’s codes and testing arena.

It is safe to say that, from beginning to end, you should be done and dusted within five years’ time.

Being an electrician is a highly rewarding job. You work in a constantly changing sector that is growing as we speak, and the skill is in high demand at the moment.

To be an electrician, you need to have an aptitude for problem solving and a love of working with your hands. You need to be able to handle power tools, and you need a solid understanding of all things related to electricity. You also need to be creative and able to think on your feet. An eye for detail also helps, as you will need to be able to diagnose faulty systems.

If you are creative, tech-savvy, hard-working and analytical in your approach to problems, becoming an electrician may just be the right choice for you.

Electrician Salaries – How Much Can An Electrician Earn?

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Being an electrician has always been a respectable way of earning a living. It is interesting to note that an electrician still enjoys a lucrative business after the recession, when many other fields are suffering in the economic crunch.

The reason for this could be because of the green movement. Big companies and private residences alike can no longer afford to pay their skyrocketing electricity bills, despite the fact that we are relying on technology and power more than ever before. For a company to run successfully in this day and age, they need to be constantly connected – and this requires energy. People are now turning to more economic and sustainable electrical systems, as well as more economic appliances. This means that, while energy suppliers might be feeling the pinch, electricians – who are installing new systems and diagnosing energy problems – are not.

Moreover, now that the various sectors are recovering from the recession, construction has picked up again. This means that electricians are experiencing a massive influx of job opportunities, and their salaries are growing along with the construction fields.

It seems that being an electrician is a relatively secure and safe job at the moment, as they are needed in both recovering and depressed sectors.

So how much do electricians make, in essence? And how do the different disciplines compare with one another?

Contents

Average Electrician Pay By State

The table below shows the average yearly and hourly wages earned by working Electricians in each state. The data was collated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2013.

StateAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly Salary
Alaska$74,810$35.96
New York$70,560$33.92
Illinois$69,040$33.19
Oregon$67,860$32.63
New Jersey$65,770$31.62
District of Columbia$64,560$31.04
Hawaii$64,240$30.88
California$63,650$30.60
Washington$62,650$30.12
Massachusetts$62,350$29.97
Indiana$59,110$28.42
Michigan$58,020$27.89
Connecticut$57,310$27.55
Minnesota$56,690$27.26
Nevada$56,390$27.11
Montana$56,230$27.03
Maryland$55,710$26.79
Delaware$55,250$26.56
Rhode Island$55,190$26.53
Missouri$54,980$26.43
Pennsylvania$53,990$25.96
Wyoming$53,710$25.82
North Dakota$53,670$25.80
Wisconsin$53,590$25.77
West Virginia$53,360$25.65
Ohio$50,480$24.27
Iowa$50,340$24.20
Colorado$48,910$23.52
Kansas$48,440$23.29
New Hampshire$48,360$23.25
Kentucky$47,690$22.93
New Mexico$47,240$22.71
Utah$47,050$22.62
Louisiana$46,480$22.35
Virginia$46,200$22.21
Georgia$45,270$21.76
Oklahoma$45,230$21.75
Tennessee$44,890$21.58
Arizona$44,410$21.35
Maine$44,250$21.28
Texas$44,110$21.21
Mississippi$44,030$21.17
Idaho$43,980$21.14
Alabama$43,200$20.77
Nebraska$43,050$20.70
South Dakota$42,790$20.57
Arkansas$42,470$20.42
Vermont$41,680$20.04
South Carolina$40,020$19.24
North Carolina$39,890$19.18
Florida$39,870$19.17
Puerto Rico$25,710$12.36

Electrician Salaries – How Much Can An Electrician Earn

Average Electrician Salary By Area

The table below shows the average yearly and hourly wages earned by working Electricians in each area of the United States. As in the previous table on this page, the data was collated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2013.

AreaAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly Salary
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA Metropolitan Division$83,230$40.01
Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division$79,950$38.44
New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division$77,870$37.44
Fairbanks, AK$76,940$36.99
Railbelt / Southwest Alaska nonmetropolitan area$75,700$36.39
Rockford, IL$75,250$36.18
Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area$73,970$35.56
Anchorage, AK$73,780$35.47
Gary, IN Metropolitan Division$72,360$34.79
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division$72,300$34.76
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$72,220$34.72
Redding, CA$70,490$33.89
Bloomington-Normal, IL$70,310$33.81
Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division$70,240$33.77
Ann Arbor, MI$69,910$33.61
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$69,810$33.56
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division$68,770$33.06
El Centro, CA$68,380$32.88
Edison-New Brunswick, NJ Metropolitan Division$68,240$32.81
Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Division$67,910$32.65
Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA$67,820$32.60
Honolulu, HI$67,790$32.59
Napa, CA$67,060$32.24
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division$66,780$32.11
Worcester, MA-CT$66,760$32.10
Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division$66,670$32.05
Kokomo, IN$66,300$31.87
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$66,260$31.86
Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ$65,670$31.57
Trenton-Ewing, NJ$65,570$31.53
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area$65,500$31.49
Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division$65,450$31.46
Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard nonmetropolitan area$64,990$31.25
La Crosse, WI-MN$64,930$31.21
Kankakee-Bradley, IL$64,620$31.07
St. Mary's County, Maryland nonmetropolitan area$64,360$30.94
Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division$64,260$30.89
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$64,100$30.82
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$64,070$30.81
Stockton, CA$63,780$30.66
Coastal Oregon nonmetropolitan area$63,740$30.64
Peoria, IL$63,390$30.48
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY$62,990$30.28
Sandusky, OH$62,970$30.28
Racine, WI$62,930$30.26
Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metropolitan Division$62,750$30.17
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division$62,710$30.15
Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area$62,550$30.07
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA$62,420$30.01
Central Washington nonmetropolitan area$62,030$29.82
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$61,980$29.80
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT$61,700$29.66
Farmington, NM$61,610$29.62
Champaign-Urbana, IL$61,510$29.57
St. Louis, MO-IL$61,500$29.57
West Central North Dakota nonmetropolitan area$61,400$29.52
Norwich-New London, CT-RI$61,270$29.46
Corvallis, OR$61,070$29.36
Madera-Chowchilla, CA$60,900$29.28
Charleston, WV$60,820$29.24
Other Nevada nonmetropolitan area$60,810$29.24
Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division$60,730$29.20
Rochester, MN$60,210$28.95
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ$60,190$28.94
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA$60,160$28.92
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$60,080$28.89
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$60,070$28.88
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL$60,030$28.86
Eastern Montana nonmetropolitan area$59,810$28.75
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$59,780$28.74
New Haven, CT$59,730$28.71
Billings, MT$59,600$28.66
Reading, PA$59,390$28.55
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area$59,320$28.52
Duluth, MN-WI$59,150$28.44
Decatur, IL$59,150$28.44
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division$59,140$28.43
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area$58,960$28.35
Framingham, MA NECTA Division$58,960$28.35
Evansville, IN-KY$58,910$28.32
Barnstable Town, MA$58,760$28.25
Lansing-East Lansing, MI$58,740$28.24
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$58,680$28.21
Tacoma, WA Metropolitan Division$58,660$28.20
Monroe, MI$58,520$28.13
Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division$58,500$28.13
Bay City, MI$58,450$28.10
Modesto, CA$58,400$28.08
Bellingham, WA$58,290$28.02
Hanford-Corcoran, CA$58,200$27.98
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA$58,180$27.97
Far Western North Dakota nonmetropolitan area$58,130$27.95
Ocean City, NJ$58,120$27.94
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area$58,060$27.91
Salinas, CA$58,020$27.90
North Valley Region of California nonmetropolitan area$58,010$27.89
Chico, CA$57,950$27.86
Longview, WA$57,850$27.81
Southwestern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area$57,830$27.80
Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA$57,800$27.79
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI$57,700$27.74
Southern Oregon & Linn County nonmetropolitan area$57,690$27.74
North Arizona nonmetropolitan area$57,550$27.67
Peabody, MA NECTA Division$57,510$27.65
Southwest Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area$57,480$27.63
St. Joseph, MO-KS$57,390$27.59
Terre Haute, IN$57,350$27.57
Madison, WI$57,260$27.53
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area$57,210$27.50
Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH$57,100$27.45
Central Montana nonmetropolitan area$57,030$27.42
Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, MA NECTA Division$56,950$27.38
Western Central Nevada nonmetropolitan area$56,920$27.37
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI$56,920$27.36
Southeast Arizona nonmetropolitan area$56,860$27.34
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA$56,850$27.33
Northwest Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area$56,830$27.32
Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH$56,800$27.31
Taunton-Norton-Raynham, MA NECTA Division$56,750$27.28
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT$56,740$27.28
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA$56,620$27.22
Indianapolis-Carmel, IN$56,530$27.18
Las Vegas-Paradise, NV$56,450$27.14
Bend, OR$56,400$27.11
Rochester, NY$56,390$27.11
Mankato-North Mankato, MN$56,300$27.07
Lima, OH$56,280$27.06
North Central Colorado nonmetropolitan area$56,260$27.05
Kansas City, MO-KS$56,150$26.99
Salem, OR$56,100$26.97
Springfield, IL$55,930$26.89
Springfield, MA-CT$55,900$26.87
Southwestern Montana nonmetropolitan area$55,870$26.86
Medford, OR$55,780$26.82
Jackson, MI$55,660$26.76
Merced, CA$55,610$26.73
Eastern Sierra Region of California nonmetropolitan area$55,540$26.70
West Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area$55,520$26.69
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division$55,510$26.69
Southeastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area$55,390$26.63
North Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area$55,310$26.59
Western Colorado nonmetropolitan area$55,300$26.59
Muncie, IN$55,220$26.55
Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division$55,190$26.53
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area$55,180$26.53
Eastern Utah nonmetropolitan area$55,170$26.53
Baltimore-Towson, MD$55,160$26.52
Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA$55,130$26.50
Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Division$55,070$26.48
Cedar Rapids, IA$55,000$26.44
Olympia, WA$54,930$26.41
Danville, IL$54,840$26.37
Reno-Sparks, NV$54,830$26.36
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$54,780$26.33
Northeastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area$54,690$26.29
Yuba City, CA$54,690$26.29
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$54,610$26.26
Hinesville-Fort Stewart, GA$54,580$26.24
Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area$54,550$26.23
Missoula, MT$54,530$26.22
Toledo, OH$54,490$26.19
Waterbury, CT$54,330$26.12
Visalia-Porterville, CA$54,240$26.08
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area$54,240$26.08
Joplin, MO$53,980$25.95
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX$53,930$25.93
Akron, OH$53,880$25.90
Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, MA$53,850$25.89
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area$53,700$25.82
North Central Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area$53,670$25.80
Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area$53,650$25.79
Eugene-Springfield, OR$53,630$25.78
Fort Wayne, IN$53,500$25.72
Northwestern Washington nonmetropolitan area$53,430$25.69
Prescott, AZ$53,410$25.68
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH$53,350$25.65
Fond du Lac, WI$53,340$25.64
Janesville, WI$53,340$25.64
Syracuse, NY$53,280$25.62
Northeastern Virginia nonmetropolitan area$53,120$25.54
Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area$53,120$25.54
Sheboygan, WI$53,070$25.52
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area$52,830$25.40
Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, MA-NH NECTA Division$52,820$25.40
Bloomington, IN$52,750$25.36
Grand Forks, ND-MN$52,720$25.35
Binghamton, NY$52,650$25.31
North Central West Virginia nonmetropolitan area$52,640$25.31
Pittsfield, MA$52,620$25.30
Southwestern Washington nonmetropolitan area$52,590$25.29
St. Cloud, MN$52,520$25.25
Columbia, MO$52,510$25.25
Danbury, CT$52,490$25.24
Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area$52,460$25.22
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ$52,450$25.22
Michigan City-La Porte, IN$52,420$25.20
Hawaii / Maui / Kauai nonmetropolitan area$52,240$25.12
Eastern Connecticut nonmetropolitan area$52,170$25.08
Wheeling, WV-OH$52,140$25.07
Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI$52,110$25.05
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area$52,010$25.01
Manchester, NH$52,000$25.00
Utica-Rome, NY$51,990$25.00
Eastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area$51,940$24.97
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA$51,850$24.93
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI$51,670$24.84
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY$51,660$24.83
Manhattan, KS$51,650$24.83
East Central New York nonmetropolitan area$51,630$24.82
Sussex County, Delaware nonmetropolitan area$51,530$24.77
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI$51,480$24.75
Pittsburgh, PA$51,430$24.73
Battle Creek, MI$51,280$24.66
Western Montana nonmetropolitan area$51,260$24.65
Portsmouth, NH-ME$51,230$24.63
Pine Bluff, AR$51,200$24.61
Cheyenne, WY$51,130$24.58
Casper, WY$50,880$24.46
Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area$50,880$24.46
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area$50,810$24.43
Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area$50,670$24.36
Green Bay, WI$50,650$24.35
Anderson, IN$50,620$24.33
Lafayette, IN$50,570$24.31
Johnstown, PA$50,510$24.28
Western New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area$50,490$24.28
Ames, IA$50,450$24.25
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA$50,400$24.23
Southwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area$50,270$24.17
Erie, PA$50,110$24.09
Altoona, PA$50,040$24.06
East Idaho nonmetropolitan area$50,010$24.04
Cumberland, MD-WV$49,920$24.00
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN$49,920$24.00
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area$49,870$23.98
Far Eastern North Dakota nonmetropolitan area$49,870$23.98
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA$49,850$23.96
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area$49,780$23.93
Spokane, WA$49,680$23.89
Las Cruces, NM$49,670$23.88
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area$49,670$23.88
Wichita, KS$49,640$23.87
Pueblo, CO$49,580$23.84
Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN$49,520$23.81
Holland-Grand Haven, MI$49,430$23.76
Ithaca, NY$49,430$23.77
Lawrence-Methuen-Salem, MA-NH NECTA Division$49,390$23.74
Appleton, WI$49,280$23.69
Northwestern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area$49,220$23.66
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area$49,150$23.63
Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO$49,130$23.62
East Central North Dakota$49,120$23.62
Columbus, IN$49,110$23.61
Yakima, WA$49,060$23.58
Far Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area$49,050$23.58
Canton-Massillon, OH$48,970$23.55
Elkhart-Goshen, IN$48,860$23.49
Amarillo, TX$48,700$23.41
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA$48,700$23.41
Lawton, OK$48,630$23.38
Fresno, CA$48,610$23.37
Boulder, CO$48,500$23.32
Kingston, NY$48,430$23.28
Southwestern Virginia nonmetropolitan area$48,420$23.28
Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division$48,380$23.26
Tuscaloosa, AL$48,380$23.26
Dubuque, IA$48,310$23.23
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI$48,250$23.20
Great Falls, MT$48,180$23.16
Warner Robins, GA$48,140$23.14
Salt Lake City, UT$48,110$23.13
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA$48,070$23.11
Alexandria, LA$47,970$23.06
Northwestern Connecticut nonmetropolitan area$47,910$23.03
York-Hanover, PA$47,900$23.03
Glens Falls, NY$47,650$22.91
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO$47,580$22.88
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA$47,500$22.84
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA$47,470$22.82
Iowa City, IA$47,460$22.82
Northeastern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area$47,440$22.81
Huntsville, AL$47,340$22.76
Morgantown, WV$47,290$22.73
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area$47,280$22.73
Colorado Springs, CO$47,210$22.70
Anniston-Oxford, AL$47,200$22.69
Morristown, TN$47,140$22.66
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX$47,120$22.65
Provo-Orem, UT$47,050$22.62
New Iberia nonmetropolitan area$47,020$22.61
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI$46,900$22.55
Central Colorado nonmetropolitan area$46,870$22.53
Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX$46,710$22.46
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area$46,620$22.41
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA$46,600$22.41
Central Arkansas nonmetropolitan area$46,570$22.39
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area$46,550$22.38
Winston-Salem, NC$46,450$22.33
Lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area$46,430$22.32
Baton Rouge, LA$46,380$22.30
Chattanooga, TN-GA$46,380$22.30
West Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area$46,290$22.26
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area$46,260$22.24
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV$46,220$22.22
Gadsden, AL$46,120$22.17
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX$46,100$22.17
Columbus, OH$46,040$22.13
Williamsport, PA$46,030$22.13
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area$45,970$22.10
Tulsa, OK$45,910$22.07
Topeka, KS$45,900$22.07
Owensboro, KY$45,890$22.06
New Bedford, MA$45,850$22.05
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area$45,840$22.04
Lincoln, NE$45,830$22.04
Salisbury, MD$45,800$22.02
Dover, DE$45,780$22.01
Northwestern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area$45,750$21.99
Savannah, GA$45,740$21.99
Eau Claire, WI$45,730$21.99
Western South Dakota nonmetropolitan area$45,730$21.99
Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$45,730$21.99
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$45,720$21.98
Rochester-Dover, NH-ME$45,710$21.98
Longview, TX$45,640$21.94
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA$45,640$21.94
Rome, GA$45,620$21.93
Fargo, ND-MN$45,610$21.93
Memphis, TN-MS-AR$45,570$21.91
Southwestern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area$45,440$21.84
1South Florida nonmetropolitan area$45,390$21.82
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL$45,380$21.82
Southeastern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area$45,340$21.80
Monroe, LA$45,330$21.79
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area$45,300$21.78
Bowling Green, KY$45,220$21.74
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area$45,180$21.72
Mansfield, OH$45,140$21.70
St. George, UT$45,090$21.68
Garrett County, Maryland nonmetropolitan area$45,020$21.64
Tucson, AZ$44,980$21.63
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area$44,950$21.61
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL$44,840$21.56
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR$44,820$21.55
Southwestern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$44,780$21.53
Elizabethtown, KY$44,770$21.52
Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area$44,740$21.51
Other New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area$44,730$21.51
Richmond, VA$44,690$21.48
Cape Girardeau-Jackson, MO-IL$44,680$21.48
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC$44,620$21.45
Springfield, MO$44,580$21.43
Northern Utah nonmetropolitan area$44,520$21.40
Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area$44,460$21.38
State College, PA$44,340$21.32
Ogden-Clearfield, UT$44,280$21.29
Bismarck, ND$44,200$21.25
Gulf Coast Texas nonmetropolitan area$44,190$21.24
Cleveland, TN$44,160$21.23
Victoria, TX$44,150$21.23
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA$44,120$21.21
Lafayette, LA$44,100$21.20
Knoxville, TN$44,070$21.19
Flagstaff, AZ$44,010$21.16
Northern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area$44,000$21.15
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area$44,000$21.15
Northeastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area$43,980$21.14
Elmira, NY$43,980$21.14
Midland, TX$43,960$21.13
Low Country South Carolina nonmetropolitan area$43,940$21.12
Albuquerque, NM$43,920$21.11
Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME$43,880$21.10
Greeley, CO$43,810$21.06
Mobile, AL$43,800$21.06
North Central Texas nonmetropolitan area$43,800$21.06
West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area$43,790$21.05
Boise City-Nampa, ID$43,690$21.01
Lake Charles, LA$43,640$20.98
Winchester, VA-WV$43,610$20.97
Danville, VA$43,600$20.96
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ$43,600$20.96
Birmingham-Hoover, AL$43,500$20.91
Lawrence, KS$43,470$20.90
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area$43,430$20.88
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area$43,390$20.86
Southcentral Idaho nonmetropolitan area$43,380$20.86
Corpus Christi, TX$43,370$20.85
Columbus, GA-AL$43,360$20.85
Jefferson City, MO$43,320$20.83
Oklahoma City, OK$43,300$20.82
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD$43,270$20.81
Odessa, TX$43,260$20.80
Clarksville, TN-KY$43,260$20.80
Sioux Falls, SD$43,070$20.71
Anderson, SC$43,060$20.70
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN$43,040$20.69
Lynchburg, VA$43,040$20.69
Lexington-Fayette, KY$42,980$20.66
Harrisonburg, VA$42,900$20.62
Other Ohio nonmetropolitan area$42,880$20.61
Macon, GA$42,880$20.61
Fayetteville, NC$42,860$20.60
Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area$42,830$20.59
Western Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$42,820$20.59
Eastern South Dakota nonmetropolitan area$42,760$20.56
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area$42,730$20.55
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS$42,720$20.54
Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area$42,690$20.52
Northwestern Texas nonmetropolitan area$42,560$20.46
Upper Eastern Shore nonmetropolitan area$42,550$20.46
Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division$42,520$20.44
Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area$42,510$20.44
Eastern Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$42,490$20.43
Dayton, OH$42,470$20.42
Greenville, NC$42,440$20.41
Lancaster, PA$42,420$20.40
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA$42,410$20.39
Dalton, GA$42,370$20.37
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$42,220$20.30
Northwestern Virginia nonmetropolitan area$42,120$20.25
Idaho Falls, ID$41,990$20.19
Lebanon, PA$41,970$20.18
Coeur d'Alene, ID$41,960$20.17
Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area$41,940$20.16
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI$41,940$20.16
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area$41,920$20.15
Logan, UT-ID$41,880$20.13
Southwest Idaho nonmetropolitan area$41,810$20.10
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL Metropolitan Division$41,800$20.09
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area$41,790$20.09
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC$41,770$20.08
Lake Havasu City - Kingman, AZ$41,640$20.02
Burlington-South Burlington, VT$41,620$20.01
Rapid City, SD$41,590$19.99
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area$41,590$20.00
Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division$41,570$19.99
West Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area$41,550$19.98
Pocatello, ID$41,550$19.98
Northeast Florida nonmetropolitan area$41,400$19.90
Central South Dakota nonmetropolitan area$41,350$19.88
Hattiesburg, MS$41,320$19.87
Jackson, TN$41,240$19.83
Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area$41,220$19.82
Western Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area$41,200$19.81
Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area$41,190$19.80
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL$41,160$19.79
Lubbock, TX$41,130$19.77
Montgomery, AL$41,130$19.77
North Idaho nonmetropolitan area$41,080$19.75
Yuma, AZ$41,020$19.72
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC$41,010$19.72
Jacksonville, FL$40,950$19.69
Spartanburg, SC$40,940$19.68
Hammond nonmetropolitan area$40,920$19.67
Central New York nonmetropolitan area$40,910$19.67
North and West Central New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$40,880$19.65
1Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area$40,850$19.64
Springfield, OH$40,800$19.62
Grand Junction, CO$40,730$19.58
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC$40,440$19.44
Jackson, MS$40,430$19.44
Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$40,400$19.42
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO$40,390$19.42
Tyler, TX$40,320$19.39
Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metropolitan Division$40,290$19.37
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL$40,280$19.36
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA$40,240$19.35
Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$40,220$19.34
Jonesboro, AR$40,130$19.29
Carson City, NV$40,050$19.25
Bangor, ME$39,980$19.22
Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Division$39,960$19.21
Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC$39,940$19.20
Sherman-Denison, TX$39,900$19.18
Southeastern Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$39,750$19.11
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area$39,720$19.10
Texarkana-Texarkana, TX-AR$39,660$19.07
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL$39,640$19.06
Pee Dee South Carolina nonmetropolitan area$39,620$19.05
Sumter, SC$39,610$19.04
Winnsboro nonmetropolitan area$39,590$19.04
Gainesville, FL$39,590$19.03
Johnson City, TN$39,530$19.01
Kansas nonmetropolitan area$39,520$19.00
Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, SC$39,470$18.98
West Central Utah nonmetropolitan area$39,450$18.97
Brunswick, GA$39,400$18.94
Valdosta, GA$39,390$18.94
Natchitoches nonmetropolitan area$39,390$18.94
Fort Smith, AR-OK$39,330$18.91
Burlington, NC$39,270$18.88
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL$39,260$18.88
Lewiston-Auburn, ME$39,230$18.86
East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area$39,180$18.84
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area$39,160$18.83
El Paso, TX$39,090$18.79
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area$39,070$18.78
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area$39,040$18.77
Florence, SC$39,040$18.77
Port St. Lucie, FL$39,000$18.75
Central Texas nonmetropolitan area$39,000$18.75
Raleigh-Cary, NC$38,890$18.70
Abilene, TX$38,850$18.68
Greensboro-High Point, NC$38,800$18.65
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$38,800$18.66
Wilmington, NC$38,760$18.64
Waco, TX$38,680$18.60
North Missouri nonmetropolitan area$38,640$18.58
San Angelo, TX$38,620$18.57
Columbia, SC$38,610$18.56
Naples-Marco Island, FL$38,550$18.53
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area$38,530$18.52
Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$38,280$18.40
Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan area$38,220$18.38
Northeastern Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$38,190$18.36
Ocala, FL$38,100$18.32
Charlottesville, VA$38,090$18.31
Decatur, AL$38,090$18.31
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area$38,080$18.31
Wichita Falls, TX$38,060$18.30
Rocky Mount, NC$37,960$18.25
Athens-Clarke County, GA$37,960$18.25
Roanoke, VA$37,720$18.13
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC$37,590$18.07
Jacksonville, NC$37,280$17.92
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL$37,230$17.90
Eastern Texas nonmetropolitan area$37,220$17.90
East Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area$37,080$17.83
Albany, GA$36,930$17.75
College Station-Bryan, TX$36,910$17.75
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area$36,790$17.69
Western Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$36,770$17.68
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL$36,610$17.60
Southern Texas nonmetropolitan area$36,400$17.50
Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area$36,370$17.49
Tallahassee, FL$36,370$17.49
Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area$36,010$17.31
Northwest Florida nonmetropolitan area$35,690$17.16
Asheville, NC$35,660$17.14
Gainesville, GA$35,510$17.07
Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL$35,490$17.06
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL$35,180$16.91
Laredo, TX$34,810$16.74
Auburn-Opelika, AL$34,510$16.59
Dothan, AL$33,380$16.05
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX$33,330$16.02
Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway, SC$33,180$15.95
Hot Springs, AR$33,030$15.88
Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area$32,700$15.72
Punta Gorda, FL$32,590$15.67
Central Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$31,950$15.36
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX$31,800$15.29
Palm Coast, FL$26,390$12.69

Master Electrician Salary

A Master Electrician is highly qualified and fully licensed. He/she earns more than an apprentice, but less than an electrical engineer.

Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the average master electrician earned around $52 910 for the year in 2011. This is very decent and only proves that the field is lucrative and strong.

However, this can be further broken down by the sector the electrician is working in. If he is specialized in a field, he could be earning more than the general electrician. The highest earning sectors that electricians work in are coal mining and electrical design.

Electrician Apprentice Salary

Apprentices are paid according to their level of training, which is calculated by the number of years they have been an apprentice, as well as where they stand in their studies at the time. Apprentices tend to work and study at the same time, which leads to them often being paid hourly.

Hourly rates differ from region to region, but the average hourly rate for a first year apprentice is anything between $12.29 and $26.84, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Apprentices usually earn a certain percentage of their master’s salary, so this can differ greatly, especially according to the field the apprentice is training in.

Electrical Engineer Salary

Electrical engineers are the highest paid on the electrician pay scales, as they are more qualified and highly sought. They can be found in a variety of sectors; anything from mining, to construction, to machinery.

Salaries seem to start at around $70 000 per annum for Instrument Electrical Engineers. This number increases with the field of expertise, and sometimes even with the number of years in experience. The five highest earning areas of electrical engineering are:

  • Instrumentation and Electrical Engineering at roughly $123 000 annually
  • Substation Engineering at $102 000 per year
  • Senior Controls Engineer at $95 000 per annum
  • Senior Electrical Engineer also at $95 000 per year
  • Control Systems Engineer at $93 000 per year

Electrical engineers are in great demand at the moment due to the green movement. They are being contracted to assist design and inventions teams to help develop new ways of harnessing energy. Electrical engineering companies are currently diversifying to include these new ways of sustaining energy, resulting in the creation of new departments and jobs.

It is important to note that the average electrician salary is not only influenced by the economy, but also by the skill level and area of expertise the electrician is operating in. The more specialized the electrician, the more he will earn. But this can also be dangerous, as the specialized area may offer less job opportunities.

The region in which the electrician finds him/herself also contributes to the average salary. Different states have different levels of income, so this also has to be factored in when trying to determine the average electrician salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying state is Alaska, coming in at around $72 030 per year. This is closely followed by New York ($70 680 per year), and then by Illinois ($70 430 per year). Statistically, North Carolina is the lowest earning state with only $39 640 per year.

Your level of qualification, the field you work in (general or specialized) and the region you operate in, all affect your average annual income as an electrician. However, the above statistics should give you a reasonable idea as to what to expect.

Electricians have shown great tenacity and adaptability in the last decade. Where other sectors have fallen, electricians have been cured in the furnace. The field is stronger than ever, and only growing.

Electrician Job Description – What Does A Typical Electrician Do?

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The electrician’s job description is quite detailed and extensive. There is so much more to it than simply installing and maintaining electrical systems. In this day and age, when the world is turning to new ways of sourcing energy, the electrician’s job description is more diverse than ever before.

Electrician Job Description – What Does A Typical Electrician DoWhat’s more, the different types of electricians each have their own unique set of responsibilities. They are divided into three main groups: journeyman, apprentice, and commercial electrician. However, before we look at each of these, we need to understand the basics of what the average electrician does.

What Do Electricians Do?

The first and foremost responsibility of an electrician is the installation, testing and maintenance of electrical wiring systems. This requires him/her to have a solid understanding of electricity and all its components.

The electrician should be knowledgeable in the use of testing equipment, and they should be able to use a variety of power tools – both come in handy when a problem needs to be identified and fixed. This also requires them to be rather fit, as the job is often physically draining.

 An electrician should also know how to approach and rig electrical systems so they are safe to both themselves and others. This also entails the electrician being able to diagnose the health of a system and adjust it accordingly so as to avoid disastrous accidents. They also need to be able to identify when appliances are unhealthy, and should be able to address such problems.

As an electrician works in buildings and construction areas, he/she need to have a good understanding of the codes and regulations involved when working in such areas. If not, their licenses can be revoked by the local authorities.

Another part of the job, that is often overlooked, is the ability to run an independent business. This calls for the electrician to be able to gauge costs, work out quotes, handle taxes and build up good contacts in his/her network. They also need to be able to fulfill basic administration duties.

These are the general tasks allotted to electricians across the board.

Journeyman Electrician Job Description

The journeyman electrician is fully qualified, and can operate individually. More often than not, journeyman electricians work on construction sites, developing and installing electrical systems. However, they are also fully licensed to work in homes – these residential jobs often become a steady source of income.

The types of systems that the journeyman installs and maintains are rather diverse, ranging from communication networks to lighting. A journeyman is highly skilled across a range of electrical principles, and he/she often own their own business. They are fully licensed, have gained their qualification, and can take on apprentices.

They journeyman is required to be able to fulfill all the responsibilities allotted to electricians in general.

Electrician Apprentice Job Description

An electrician apprentice is there to learn on the job. He/she is more often than not currently studying to become an electrician while they complete their apprenticeship (which can take approximately four years to complete).

The electrician apprentice aids the journeyman in a variety of tasks, according to his/her current level of education. The purpose of the apprenticeship is to face electrical problems with a mentor at hand to help and assist. The apprentice may have to do anything, or even everything, that the task at hand requires.

It is worthy to note that, according to the field the apprentice has chosen, jobs may differ – Journeyman apprenticeships differ from commercial apprenticeships. But more often than not the apprentice will be testing and installing systems, as well as identifying problems.

Commercial Electrician Job Description

A commercial electrician is higher qualified, and more specialized than the journeyman – they are often also paid more. He/she often work for big contracting companies who focus on the delivery of certain services. This can include anything from the installation of air-conditioning systems, to the installation and maintenance of specialized heavy machinery in factories.

A commercial electrician is required to have all the basic qualifications and understandings of electrical systems, but he/she is also required to have a unique skill set and knowledge of their chosen field. They need to have a understanding of the codes and regulations pertaining to the specific environment they have chosen to work in, as well as be able to function as a normal electrician if the job so requires.

The above job descriptions offer a general overview of the responsibilities of the journeyman, apprentice, and commercial electrician. However, as new ways of harnessing energy are being discovered every day, the electrician is now also required to learn new skills. Electricians the world over are being challenged, and new areas and disciplines are popping up as discoveries are made. Even the most qualified of electricians are now required to adjust and add new tasks to their job descriptions, such as the maintenance and installation of solar panels. This is good for the industry as whole, and there has never been a better time to be an electrician.